Marianopolis selects new Director General
Len Even reflects College’s global outlook, changing status
Len Even has been named the next Director General of Marianopolis College starting July 1, the College's Board of Governors and the Congregation of Notre Dame (CND) announced on
March 16.
Even, 47, was born in Quebec City and moved to the Snowdon area of Montreal at age 6. Later, his parents moved to the Town of Mount Royal, where he graduated from high school. After receiving a BCom. from Concordia University in 1983 and an MBA from McGill University in 1988, he did post-graduate work in Management and Leadership in Education at Harvard University. After working as a business manager at the Royal Bank in Montreal, he taught business courses to undergraduate and graduate students at the Leiden, the Netherlands, campus of Webster University, the United States’ largest graduate business school.
Even (pronounced “Evan”) took over operations of the Leiden campus on an interim basis in 1995 during a crisis situation which he turned around. He became permanent director in 1997. Under his leadership, the university became a highly ranked institution and revenues tripled.
Even will build upon the accomplishments of Director General Françoise Boisvert, CND. Sister Boisvert has served the College since 1981, first as Registrar, then as Academic Dean and, since 1991, as Director General. She is slated to retire June 30.
“Len’s record as an education leader makes him the ideal person to move the College forward during this transition period,” said Board Chair Mary Liistro Hebert. “Selecting Len is a historic juncture for Marianopolis and shows the CND’s broadminded vision.”
Marianopolis has constantly evolved since the CND founded it 100 years ago as a school for young women. In the last century, the College has moved six times to accommodate a burgeoning student body, included male students in the 1960s and, recently, embarked on its first major fundraising campaign. Above all, Marianopolis has remained at the forefront of education in the province.
Hiring Even is another step toward allowing Marianopolis to become a thriving, independent institution that honours the values of its CND founders, a move for which the College has been preparing for the last decade: in recent years, Marianopolis has changed its governance structure; this spring, it will present a new strategic plan.
“Today Marianopolis is dynamic, with a broad global vision and a commitment to education,” said Hebert. "Len is the ideal person to lead the College forward."
Even speaks Dutch, English, French, Hebrew and Romanian. He and his wife Bianca, an elementary school teacher, have four children: David, 18, who was born in Montreal, and Marah, 16, Emily, 14, and Jeremy, 10, who were born in the Netherlands.
“This is both a homecoming and an immense honour,” he said of being chosen to lead Marianopolis into its second century of excellence in education.
Recognized as one of Quebec’s top pre-university colleges, Marianopolis boasts a diverse student body comprised of 1,800 students from over 165 public and private high schools, both English and French, from across Quebec and abroad. An English-language, private institution, Marianopolis offers CEGEP (DEC) programs to those seeking a friendly learning environment where the student is the focus. Located in Westmount, the College is celebrating its Centennial this year.
